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- [00:04]
A
This is the Players Box.
- [00:11]
B
Hi, everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the Players Box. I'm Jenny Brady alongside Maddie Keys. Unfortunately, it's just the two of us today because Desiree and Jessica are in China and are unable to log in and join us virtually on this podcast. But please remember to give our podcast five stars and subscribe on YouTube. We really appreciate you. Okay, let's get right into it. Let's start with the unforced errors. Maddie, can you tell us your unforced error for this week?
- [00:47]
A
Unforced error for the week. I've been having a pretty good week, so I don't have any, like, honestly, any, like, big ones. Biggest thing is I was not prepared for the heat wave that has gone through Florida the last couple of days and was packing my practice bag as if it was fall and did not bring enough clothes and was literally like sloshing across the court and was like slipping on my own sweat because I just quite literally didn't have enough clothes to change into. So that's my enforced error of the week.
- [01:26]
B
Sounds like Florida humidity to me. Well, you know, partially my unforced error because it came to you. So we were supposed to leave for Beijing on Saturday.
- [01:45]
A
Saturday.
- [01:46]
B
Saturday. So on September 20th and on, I think it was Friday. So on the 19th, I'm sending a voice note to Desiree because I was supposed to have my 12 hour layover in Los Angeles and then I was going to get lunch with DEZ and you know, then she was going to take me back to the airport for the flight to Beijing.
- [02:13]
A
And.
- [02:14]
B
And long story short, I end up sending a voice note to Maddie and I was, I. I started the. I started the voice note and I said, howdy ho, Desiree. Hey, so not coming to Beijing anymore, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, I just wanted to let you know I not going to be able to make lunch tomorrow. We're not coming. Okay. Sad day. Blah, blah, blah. You know, okay, see you soon. Have a good day. And then I hit sent. And then I was like, oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. Wrong person. Wrong person. And of course, it was literally the first time ever that you were like, on your phone.
- [03:02]
A
On my phone.
- [03:03]
B
Like, literally like on your phone because I sent it. And within like two seconds you reply, howdy ho. I was so embarrassed. So embarrassed.
- [03:15]
A
It honestly, I was like, it really made my day. I really needed it because I, like, really wanted to go to Beijing. I had already packed. I was ready to go and had practice and was like, okay, this injury that I'm like, dealing with is just, like, flaring back up. It's just, like, it's not going to work. So I was so sad texting you about it. And I was like, jenny, I'm so sorry, but we can't go to Beijing. Like, so sad. And just, like, actively on my phone doing something else.
- [03:51]
B
Oh, voice. No, you're like, howdy ho. Howdy ho. Yeah. So, yeah, that was my unforced error of the week. Well, good thing I didn't say anything, like, really bad about you. That would have been really bad, like, if I was. I don't know. Not that I would, but because there's been times where I've texted something or said something. Yeah. And, like, sent it to the person that I was, like, talking about. Um, so that's always really embarrassing. But, yeah, so that was a little embarrassing. Mainly because of my intro, because, you know, I was like, how do. And then, like, immediately you text back, howdy ho. So.
- [04:41]
A
But good news. Not the worst unforced error of the week because Dez and Jess did not download enough VPNs. You actually make this episode. So you beat them.
- [04:57]
B
Yeah. I think Jess and DEZ won equally. Won unforced error of the week because they couldn't quite make the podcast due to lack of VPNs. Maybe they should have downloaded one before all of them flying. Yeah, before flying over to. But anyways, it's all good.
- [05:22]
A
Well, I guess since they're not here.
- [05:25]
B
We can talk about us.
- [05:27]
A
Maybe everyone wants to hear about how we became the bestest friends ever.
- [05:31]
B
Yes. Who wants to start?
- [05:34]
A
Well, I still, like, vividly remember, like, so many moments from first meeting you. I remember we were warming up on Court 20 at Everett when we were legitimately 10 years old in the afternoon. And I remember seeing you stand off in the corner, like, not speaking to anyone. And I was like, that's gonna be my new best friend.
- [06:04]
B
That's my girl.
- [06:06]
A
And it was like my. My mission. I was like, we're gonna be friends. That's. That's her. And I remember we played. We played a tournament on the weekend at, like, a local. I think it was, like, in Pembroke Pines. And we were playing the match. It was, like, a legitimate tournament. I remember being like, no, but I know her. So, like, we're kind of already friends. So I kept trying to talk to you and change them. You kept looking at me like, why is she talking to me?
- [06:42]
B
Yeah, like, what is happening?
- [06:44]
A
We're playing a real match. And so you just. Just kept looking at me. Like, I just wouldn't speak.
- [06:53]
B
No, I was like.
- [06:54]
A
And then I was like, yeah, best friends. Like, yeah, we're gonna be right here. And then all of a sudden one day you just like, well, one day I just incessantly would like talk to you and get facial expressions back.
- [07:09]
B
Broke me down. Yeah, facial expressions.
- [07:12]
A
And then finally started talking back. Now we're friends.
- [07:16]
B
And now I don't shut up. It's like 180. Yeah, I was, I was a super, super shy kid growing up. Like, my sister talked for me a lot. I just, you know, couldn't really find words, I guess. But yeah, I had my little headband and I wore this little dress probably like four times a week. I made my mom wash it. Every single day I wore like the same thing. And you know, I would just show up and just, you know, go through the motions and. Yeah, and we played our first. Was it clay courts, I think 12 and unders in. In Delray, I want to say I can't remember where, but 12 and unders clay courts. We won our first gold ball together. We played doubles there. And then we had, you know, very different paths, like, to where, you know, I went this way, you went that way. I think you were already playing professional tournaments at 14, you know, and I was still playing super series. So I think we had very different paths leading to, you know, journeys to the pros. I ended up going to college and we were still playing professionally and. And then, you know, after two years of college, then I turned pro. And then, you know, here we are now we have a podcast with our two other friends.
- [08:49]
A
So do you ever think about. Do you remember when we would. We were super young and it would be the summers and we'd have to go for like 6:30 practice. Oh, and there was like a span for like a week where we kept getting kicked off the court and we would have to go into the office and call.
- [09:10]
B
Oh my gosh. I. I remember vividly. I would get on the phone in the, in the, in the one room and it was a landline. And I would call my dad and I'd be like, hey, dad. Yeah, it'd be like, I don't know, 9:30 and like the morning program didn't end until noon and it'll be like, yeah, I got kicks off the court again today. Like, you know, and he'd be like, ah, Jesus Christ. Like again, ah, like what the hell, blah, blah, blah. And he'd rip me a new one. And then it'd be like two days.
- [09:43]
A
Later, two Days later happened again.
- [09:48]
B
Yeah. Oh, can you come pick me up? Like, oh, no, I just remember I.
- [09:56]
A
Would always, like, walk into my. I'd walk into my house and my mom would be like, why are you here? And I was like, mmm, I missed five balls in a row. And that was wraps today. I was promptly sent home after the last one hit the fence.
- [10:16]
B
Maybe I did it on purpose. Maybe I wanted to go home. We'll never know.
- [10:23]
A
But, yeah, it's very funny. You, like, you really blossomed.
- [10:28]
B
Yeah, I think I really found myself. I think I really matured a lot in college just because. From what age? Like, probably like, 10, 11 years old. Being at the Academy, Everett Academy. Like, being there and doing the same routine, same schedule, everything for, I don't know, seven years, it was just, like, mundane and just became the same thing. And I only ever just saw the same people and never really, like, got outside my shell. I was homeschooled. I mean, you did homeschooling, too? Online school. I wouldn't really call it school, to be honest, but didn't really prepare me for college. But, yeah, then I think once I got to school, I started out really shy. Like, I started. I remember my first party I ever went to was Halloween. And I literally was, like, so nervous that to go out, like, I never really drank or never partied before, so I didn't know what to expect. And I'm out at this party and we're at this frat house. Usually it doesn't really have frats. I mean, they do, but it's not like a big thing there. People usually would go to, like, USC and party, and it was this all athlete fraternity, and so it was only athletes in there. And so I'm there and I'm like, okay, yeah, like, ooh. Like, first party. Okay, let's go. And I went with a couple girls on the tennis team, and it was like, I don't know, 11 o'. Clock, and like, within, like, 15 or 20 minutes, I was like, okay, I'm out. I'm going to bed. Like, I'm leaving. This is not my scene. Like, I was, like, so uncomfortable. I wasn't drinking. Everyone around me was so drunk. And I was like, all right, peace out. And then, like, five years later, then I, like, would go out and party a lot. And then it was like, I did, like, a complete 180. Like, literally, like, didn't drink, didn't party, didn't go out. And then I started, like, really drinking, partying, going out, like, you know, after tournaments or Things like that. And then just, you know, I guess started socializing more and being like, oh, I actually really like talking and I'm kind of funny, like. Or people are funny. I like to make people laugh. So, yeah, that's what I. It's very funny. I don't know.
- [13:02]
A
It's very funny because knowing you from when we were little kids and me literally being like, hey, hey, hey. Like, talk to me. Be my friend. And now we walk around a tournament and it's like, jenny, Jenny. Oh, my God, Jenny, how are you? How's this? How's that? It's like, you're literally, like, the most popular person on tournament tour.
- [13:25]
B
Yeah. Like, you told me. Yeah.
- [13:28]
A
Coming back on, like, coming to the US Open, we would turn a corner and everyone would be like, it's Jenny. I was like, how do you know everyone?
- [13:40]
B
Yeah, I was, like, meeting up with someone and I was like, oh, sorry, I'm late. This person's mom got me. That person's mom got me. Oh, I was taught. I was playing with Sai Sai's dog, Yun Bao. Like, and they were like, what the hell? Like, what? They were like, it's so random. Like, and I was like, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, you know, we go way back. Like, yeah. I was like, now, like I said before, I don't shut up. Like, I go on site and I'm like, oh, yeah, it's going to be a quick in and out. And then like, five hours later, I'm like, oh, like when we were talking in another episode about me, like, lingering in the locker room with Jess, like, oh. Like, oh, I wonder what Jess is up to. Oh, let me go see what Jess is doing. And then it's like, I'm leaving. And then I'm like, oh, I wonder what Jess is doing? Like, you know, then I go back. So it's, you know, I'm always, like, looking to see, like, what people are.
- [14:38]
A
Doing or, like, Jenny loves a lingerie.
- [14:42]
B
Yeah, I love to linger. I love to linger. But I mean, you're not. Like, I wouldn't say you're shy, but I wouldn't say, like, you're the most outgoing in our. In our little group here.
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A
Like, I feel like I'm selective.
- [15:00]
B
I feel. Yes. I was just about to say I feel like it depends who it is. Like, you. You have your people that, you know, you would approach or linger or hang around sight for. Like, you don't really see Maddie, like, lingering on site. Like, once she's done, she's out of there. Like, she's like, all right, I'm getting a car, I'm going back to hotel. Whereas I'm, like, lingering for, like, an hour or two, like, afterwards.
- [15:30]
A
Yeah. I think I've always been like, my friend group is they're my favorite people ever. But, like, I have a lot of really close friends, and then it's like, there's acquaintances. I don't have a lot of, like, kind of friends or, like, casual friends. I guess you're either like, one of my people or I'm like, oh, hi, Nice to see you. Yeah, not really anything in between.
- [16:01]
B
Yeah, like, you're ride or die. You're. You're pretty. Ride or die. Like, loyal.
- [16:07]
A
Yeah. Like I said, like, you're one of my people. You're one of my people.
- [16:14]
B
Yeah, I feel that.
- [16:16]
A
I feel that there's definitely. There's, like, people that have wronged you that I don't speak to. And you're like, oh, yeah, I just talked to this person, whatever. And I'm like, no, we don't talk to them.
- [16:27]
B
Yeah, yeah. I'm like, oh, yeah, they're upstairs in the cafe. You know, we were just texting, like, catch it up. And it's like, jenny, no, like, they wronged you.
- [16:41]
A
Yeah, they wronged you.
- [16:43]
B
Yeah. Yeah.
- [16:45]
A
I would say I'm the grudge holder.
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B
Of the group for sure.
- [16:49]
A
And you know what? I'm fine with that. I'm proud of that.
- [16:52]
B
Yeah.
- [16:52]
A
Someone has to hold a grudger out here to keep things interesting.
- [16:56]
B
Yeah. I feel like me and Jess are not grudge holders. I feel like DEZ could be. She's a little spunky. Like, she's got. She could be. She could give attitude, like, in a good way. And me and Jess are like, oh, like, oh, whatever. You know, like, it's fine. Yeah, yeah. Like, we'll be like, oh, yeah, like that again. That person wronged you. And she's like, oh, I just. I can't. I can't not say hi. Like, you know, it's like, I can't not, like, give him a hug, but everyone's different. Well, that's our little backstory since we are the stars of the show today. So now let's move on to some fan questions from W.L. hoey. How much are the entry fees for tournaments from the majors to the non majors, and do you pay that or do your sponsors. Ooh, great question. Good question. We pay our entry fees.
- [18:00]
A
We have entry fees. We don't have entry fees. Jenny doesn't know the rules. Do you have any I know.
- [18:07]
B
That's why I looked at Maddie. Maddie served on our player council. So she's the one that we. We meaning me and dez because Jess is on the player council right now. But before Jess was on the player council, Jess was also in on the Wii. Would text Maddie for roles and questions. So Maddie, take this one.
- [18:33]
A
Yeah. So we don't have entry fees. Technically we have to pay a membership fee to the WTA at the beginning of every year. So that fee covers our membership the entire year. The membership includes playing tournaments, but it also includes like our insurance and like all of the access that we get and all of the services that we get from the WTA. It's all included in that one membership fee. So we, we technically have to play X amount of tournaments and we're automatically signed up for certain tournaments and then we get to pick and choose like the 500s and 250s. If we want to play, we get to sign up for those ourselves. And like, I guess technically it's like if you withdraw from too many events, we actually get fined. So. Yeah, it's not really an entry fee, it's like a withdrawal fee, I guess.
- [19:32]
B
Yeah.
- [19:34]
A
And yeah, so that's kind of how it works. And that's just like the one time fee for the year and then we're covered until the next year.
- [19:44]
B
Yeah. Great. Well, I do know for its. So that is like the tier below. Yeah. So like I guess challengers. I know the ATP has challengers, but it's different.
- [20:00]
A
But the ATP. The ATP owns their own challengers to a certain degree.
- [20:04]
B
Don't go the IPL. Okay, so the ITF circuit, which includes 100K 75Ks, I don't know if they still have 75.
- [20:14]
A
I think they're 80, so.
- [20:18]
B
50S. I don't think they have those anymore. Okay. The ITF circuit, you do have to pay an entry fee and it's $40. I do know that. But you also have to pay.
- [20:30]
A
You also have to pay for your ipin.
- [20:32]
B
You have to pay for your ipin, which is a membership. So it's confusing. Great question. We hopefully we answer that. But sponsors do not pay for. If there was an entry fee, sponsors aren't paying for it. So there you go. Okay, next question from where is Heidi going? Do you each read all of your DMs on Instagram?
- [21:03]
A
No.
- [21:04]
B
No. Sometimes. No. I'm sure you get a lot more because you have like a lot more followers than I do. But sometimes, sometimes I respond.
- [21:21]
A
Well, which one do you respond to?
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B
Like positive ones. Never to like, negative ones? No, to, like, nice people who seem cool. Yeah. So I guess it depends. Depends. Where is Heidi going? Got it. Okay. Also, from where is Heidi going? What are each of you thankful for? Now that the year is coming to an end, it doesn't have to be deep. Your new renovations, Maddie. Oh.
- [21:55]
A
Oh, I am excited for our renovations to officially be done. That'll be nice. We're getting to the final stage.
- [22:04]
B
The final, final stage or like the final stage of this stage?
- [22:09]
A
You know, that's a great question. And if my husband is listening, I'm not gonna touch anything else. It's done. Nothing new will come into the house if he's not listening. There's still a bathroom that I would eventually like to renovate. But I'm gonna have to. I'm gonna have to wait. It's gonna be the long game. I'm gonna have to wait a little bit of time so that the amnesia of, like, how bad a renovation is finally sets in. And then I'll try to schedule it when he's out of town and just like, quick. I'll be like, no, it'll be a quick, you know, three week thing. And then inevitably, three months later when it's still not fully done, then I'll be like, okay, well, I've officially touched every part of the house, so now we're actually done.
- [22:58]
B
Bjorn doesn't have to know. Okay, next question from clairenglish Short. Do you go back and listen to what the commentator said during your match? No, I don't care what the commentators say. I usually just get my debrief from my coach. And yeah, what the commentators say is for the fans, not for the players.
- [23:31]
A
Yeah, that's none of my business.
- [23:33]
B
That's my take.
- [23:34]
A
Especially if I've lost the match or played poorly. I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.
- [23:41]
B
Yeah, I don't need to know what bad remarks they were saying about my backhand or whatever. Not helpful. Okay, next question. MacTennis 313. How many bags do you guys bring with you? And do you have a go to favorite candy? Oh, okay, well, that's two very different questions. So let's answer the first one first.
- [24:08]
A
How many bags?
- [24:09]
B
How many bags do you guys bring with you? Well, I bring one suitcase, one tennis bag, and one backpack. So it's three bags you pack.
- [24:20]
A
Very light. Yeah, I obviously always have my tennis bag, some sort of carry on. And I used to do a big roller and a little roller. And then I decided that I don't like to limit myself. So I started bringing two big rollers, and I've just slowly started bringing, like, more and more things, but it's always, like, two rollers and a tennis bag, which is usually fine. And I can manage on, like, the longer trips. The only hard thing is when I bring that much stuff on the front end of a trip. Like coming back from Paris after Roland Garros, we have a Nike distro, so I get another suitcase. So then I have to figure out how to take three suitcases and my tennis bag home. So sometimes that's gotten a little bit tricky. Or like, one year I stayed over, and I had distribution at rolling garros and distribution at Wimbledon. So by the end of the trip, I had, like, four, five suitcases and my tennis bag, and that was not ideal by myself to get home.
- [25:35]
B
Wow. When you started that, I thought you were taking the opposite turn when you said, I used to take one big roller and one small roller, and now I just take one big roller.
- [25:45]
A
No.
- [25:45]
B
Nope.
- [25:45]
A
No, No. I take more stuff.
- [25:47]
B
No. Yeah, you did the opposite of what I was expecting. Sometimes I bring, like, a little roller for, like, if I'm doing, like, a long Europe trip, because I know, like, I'm gonna accumulate things. Usually, like, on the plane, though, like, I wouldn't really check another bag. But sometimes then I'm like, oh, I wish I brought two suitcases, because I'm trying to fit everything in my suitcase and in my tennis bag, and then I start throwing stuff in my. Like, I have tennis shoes in my backpack, and I'm like, ew. Yeah, this is gross. This is not okay. All because I was trying to be cheap by not taking an extra bag. Okay. And do you have a Go to favorite candy? Oh, let me tell you. Is. Do we have a limit here?
- [26:35]
A
Like, yeah, like, categories, like, chewy, sour.
- [26:40]
B
Yeah, well, I'm just gonna name, like, a couple of my favorites off the top of my head, maybe. Well, we have the Reese's Fast Break, Reese's Sticks, Reese's Eggs, Reese's Trees, Reese's Footballs. I just tried the Reese's big cup for the first time in New York because I love peanut butter more than chocolate, and that was actually really good. It definitely makes my list. Peanut butter. M and Ms. Peanut M&Ms. Sour Patch Kids. Sour Skittles, Cow Tales. Underrated. That's for the 90s kids. Twizzlers and the flavored Tootsie Rolls.
- [27:35]
A
Is that it, or are we gonna keep going?
- [27:37]
B
No, that's. That's All I got. I mean, I could keep going, but, like. So is there.
- [27:43]
A
Would it be shorter if you listed off candy that you don't like?
- [27:49]
B
No, because there's actually a lot that I don't like. Like. Like, sweet. Particular. Particular. Yeah, sweet tarts and Nerds and, like, the really, like, sweet.
- [28:07]
A
Ones. Just, like, super sugary.
- [28:10]
B
Yeah, yeah, like the super sugary ones.
- [28:14]
A
Or, like, I also love candy, but I don't really like chocolate candy that much, though. That doesn't really top off.
- [28:22]
B
Yeah, I don't. See, that's the thing. I don't like chocolate, but I love peanut butter. So, like, I'm here for, like, the Reese's, but, like, their seasonal ones are the best, like the eggs and the footballs and the trees, because there's more peanut butter to chocolate ratio. But honestly, the quality of the chocolate is not good. Cadbury is way better. And. Oh, and the. The snakes. The snakes. The gummy snakes from Australia. Specifically from Australia are the holy grail. My number one.
- [28:54]
A
There's so gut. The candy. I mean, I. I'm a big sour candy fan, so I do really like Twizzlers, too. Twizzlers are on my list. But, like, Sour Patch Kids, the sour strips. Oh, yeah, the snakes from Australia. And then France sells Sour Smurfs. But, like, specifically, you have to buy them in France or else they're not as good because they're usually not sour. So I get those specifically in France, and I just will eat, like, an entire bag a day. So I'm more of, like, a chewy sour candy fan. But what I have found to be very true is I had a physio from Sweden, and they have, like, the best sour candy ever. And she would bring bags of. Of just sour candy whenever she would go home and bring them to me. And one year we were in Paris, and it was right before the Roland Garros when we were going into a bubble, but we couldn't enter the COVID bubble yet, so we had to get an Airbnb. And we got in super late, and it was Covid, so nothing was open by the time we got there. So we just sat there and, like, burned a hole in our mouth from eating this giant bag of stuff. Sour candy.
- [30:22]
B
Oh, that's like, warheads. Warheads. Oh, my gosh. Warheads were. Or hot tamales. Fireball. Fireballs. No, is that whiskey fireballs?
- [30:35]
A
Whiskey fireball. Is alcohol.
- [30:39]
B
Fire something? I can't think of it. It's, like, on the tip of my tongue, but I can't think of it. Fireball is good, though.
- [30:50]
A
I haven't had fireball since my 21st birthday.
- [30:54]
B
Wow. That was the first shot I ever took. Fireball in college at ucla. Yeah. After we won the Natty, I walked into the tennis girl's apartment and they handed me a shot and I said, what is this? And they were like, doesn't matter. Drink it. And I go, shh. That was my first fireball. It was good, though. But I don't know if I can do that again. Those days are beyond me. Okay, that was good. Little candy list. Okay. From Steph, period. Tran, 37. Steph, Tran, 37. Is there any rhyme or reason for who sits to the left or right of the chair umpire in a match? Is it just who walks out first, takes the further chair? Oh, well, for me, sometimes I get a little superstitious, and if I start the tournament to the right or left of the chair, depending, like, let's say, like, I start the tournament to the left of the chair, and I'm like, in the semifinals, and the person I'm playing in the semis is ranked above me, so they'll enter the court second, I'll be that person, and I'll like, put myself down to the left of the umpire chair. Because I'm like, well, I, like, started the tournament here, so, you know, I call to finish the tournament here. So sometimes I get a little superstitious, but I think, you know, like, rule of thumb is you go to the. Like, if you're the first player, like, you go to the right of the umpire chair, whatever side that you're not. Yeah. Furthest that you're entering the court from. So, like.
- [32:51]
A
So when you. If you get superstitious and like, you know how sometimes there's different walk on spots depending on what court you're starting on. So sometimes if you enter first, the furthest chair is on the right, but other times it's on the left.
- [33:05]
B
Does.
- [33:05]
A
Does that bug you more? Like, is it always what's right or left of the chair? Or is it, like, what's further from walk on?
- [33:13]
B
No, no, it's. It's the chair. So, like, what's right or left of the chair? It has nothing to do with, oh, I walked on. So I got to take, like, the first bench as opposed to the second bench. Like, it's the right or the left, which, like, like I said, like, it's like, oh, like I'm walking on the court and then I'm playing you and you're ranked higher. You're like, what Is this, what is this chick doing? I'm.
- [33:40]
A
Oh my God. Shoot.
- [33:42]
B
This is my bench. I think this is my bench.
- [33:44]
A
You made me take five extra steps.
- [33:45]
B
I wonder if anybody. Honestly, I wonder if anybody. Yeah, I know. You made me take four extra steps. I wonder if anybody's like, this is my, this is my bench.
- [33:55]
A
For sure not.
- [33:57]
B
Yeah, I'll be the first. Maybe that'd be first match back.
- [34:02]
A
Just be like first match.
- [34:04]
B
Excuse me, this is my bench. Gay. I'm gonna sit right here. So you can go over there like I'm sitting here, I'm sitting.
- [34:11]
A
Or what you should do. You, if you go out first, pick a bench. Have them pick a bench and then be like, no, wait, actually switch.
- [34:19]
B
Can you. Oh, at the coin toss. I don't wanna choose a side. I'd actually like to choose my bench. Can we switch to benches?
- [34:28]
A
That would be if you did that.
- [34:30]
B
No, that'd be a total of nine games.
- [34:33]
A
I would be like, what is wrong with this person?
- [34:37]
B
I. I'm all in.
- [34:39]
A
I mean game games later, I would still be like, I can't believe she made me switch benches.
- [34:46]
B
Yeah. And I'd be like, I got her, I got her. I got her right where I want her. Mind games, baby. Okay, next question. From Virginia, more travel. I want to hear about travel logistics of being a professional athlete. Do you have flights on hold or book last minute after a loss? Does the tournament pay for hotels in parentheses outside of grand slams when stays are sponsored? Okay, well that last little in parentheses is false.
- [35:21]
A
Sometimes, sometimes you get a hotel deal.
- [35:25]
B
Yes, but it's not all like not for everybody. And last minute flights after a loss. Yes, that's. I've never put a flight on hold like ever. Always just, you know, we're playing Wednesday, September 24, 7:55pm I finish my match and I'm looking at flights at 7:56pm for the next day on September 25th.
- [35:59]
A
At 8:00am so yeah, also I'm, I'm playing in a tournament that starts in oh four hours. So let me see how to get there as quickly as possible.
- [36:11]
B
Yeah, so yeah, it's always just wing it. And then you gotta pay for all of your travel. Your. If you have a coach and a physio, you have to pay for all of their expenses. So their hotel, their flights, their food on top of your own expenses. So.
- [36:31]
A
Well, so hotels, hotels at non slam tournaments you get X amount of days at whatever hotel is sponsoring the tournament. So they have hotel blocks. So you yourself will get seven days starting from this day to that day. If you're still in the tournament, they keep adding days. If you're out of the tournament, you get that block. And then if you, for whatever, stay. So like some of the tournaments where it's like two weeks, if you have to stay extra days, then you pay out of pocket. Or if you get to an event early, you have to pay out of pocket. So, like, tournaments where there's a big time change. A lot of times the, like, time in which the tournament will cover starts on. If the tournament starts on Monday, they'll start covering it on Saturday, but you want to get there on Thursday to get adjusted for the time you have to pay out of pocket for the days before the tournament starts. Picking up the hotel room. But most tournaments you only get the one room. So you're paying for your team's hotel room. So if it's however many people you have, you're paying for their room.
- [37:54]
B
Yeah. Maddie answers the logistical questions very well. Very well said. Very well said.
- [38:02]
A
Thanks. I've had. I've had lots of council calls about it.
- [38:06]
B
Okay, last question from Airbrian Brie. Have you ever forgotten to bring or pack your match outfit on the day of your batch? Yes, I have. Multiple times, actually. Coincidentally, both in Mexico for some reason. And I think, yeah, they were both junior tournaments. And I was actually with my mom and one of them in Mexico City, and I was warming up for my match, and my name gets called, and I'm wearing this oversized babylot cotton T shirt. And I'm thinking that my match outfit, my match top is underneath. Wasn't I went to take the shirt off to go onto the court to play my match, and it was just my bra. And literally I was like, mom, like, where's my match outfit? And I'm digging through my tennis bag and I just all of a sudden remember it's on the bed in the hotel. It's not here. My top is on the bed in the hotel. And so my mom looks at me and she goes, oh, my gosh, Jenny. Like, what do we do? And she's like, oh, I think there's like a little pro shop at the front entrance of the on site. So she goes in there and I said, mom, just get me a shirt. And at the time, I was sponsored by Nike. So I said, it just has to be anything Nike. Like, it doesn't. Like what? Whatever it is Nike. And she goes, and she gets me this top. And I'm like, mortified to wear this top because. And Maddie, you know, Lizzie, My mom, and she's like, oh, my gosh, it's so cute.
- [39:56]
A
Like, pink and ruffles. No, no, no, no.
- [39:58]
B
It had. No, no, no. Honestly, I think I would have rather the pink and ruffles. It was like this. It was a tank top. It was collared. It was a. It had a collar and it was a button down. It was like the most, like, preppy.
- [40:14]
A
Was it white?
- [40:16]
B
Yes, it was white.
- [40:16]
A
It was Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon outfit. She wore tuxedo shorts with it.
- [40:21]
B
No, it wasn't.
- [40:22]
A
I know exactly what you mean.
- [40:23]
B
I was absolutely mortified. I was, like, so embarrassed to play my match in this, in this top because I was like, this isn't me. Like, this isn't me. This isn't for me. Like, this is not my vibe.
- [40:35]
A
Could you play?
- [40:37]
B
Could, like, physically, like, I was uncomfortable. I was so uncomfortable, I couldn't play. I think I won the match. But, like, immediately I. When I walked off the court, I put my T shirt back on. Literally, I put my T shirt back on over it and I was like, no, no, no, no. Like, mom, thank you, but never again. Never sending you to go buy a shirt for me. I was like, no, I can't. But yeah, I mean, honestly. And then another time I was in Mexico and I forgot my match outfit. And a girl that was playing the tournament, she actually went to Everett Academy when we were there, and her name was Anna. And I said, anna, do you have an extra shirt or anything, like, to play my match in? And. Because at the time, like, in ITF junior tournaments, you can't wear big logos. Like, that's why I couldn't wear my babla shirt. And she said, oh, yeah, yeah. But I just wore it. And I go, I don't care. I'm like, I need it, you know, or else I can't play this match. And she gave it to me and I. I took it to the bathroom and I was like, I put it in the faucet and I was like, trying to, like, rinse it because it was like, sweaty and I was trying to rinse it and then I was like, put. Putting it on the hand dryer thing and, like, trying to dry it, and it was so gross. And then it smelled so bad because it was like that sweaty, like, wet, stinky smell that, like, wasn't fully dry. And long story short, I'm playing my match and I'm, like, going to, like, wipe my face with this shirt and I'm like, oh, wait, ew, no, I can't do that, like, has someone else's sweat on it. And then I finished the match, and I said, oh, my gosh, thank you so much for this shirt. Like. And she goes, oh, yeah, three people wore it today. And I go, huh? And she goes, yeah, someone else forgot a shirt. And I said, you're kidding.
- [42:39]
A
That's so gross.
- [42:41]
B
So gross. So now I always keep an extra outfit in my tennis bag. That is so gross.
- [42:53]
A
That would ruin me.
- [42:55]
B
No.
- [42:56]
A
Thank God she didn't tell you before you went out, or else you.
- [42:59]
B
Yeah, I wouldn't have been able to.
- [43:01]
A
Put it on your body.
- [43:02]
B
Yeah. Gross. No, like, absolutely. I don't. Yeah.
- [43:08]
A
I've definitely forgotten stuff. Like, no. One time I forgot my orthotics.
- [43:13]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [43:14]
A
Or like, if you're. One time I. It was like, I played in the semis or finals or something and had, like, a late flight, and literally, it was like, had to get to the next tournament, put my stuff down and pulled stuff out and left and had to go play my match. And I grabbed two, like, left shoes instead of one right and one left. But I've always had enough time that someone could either run back or I've had to call hotels and say, like, okay, this person's coming to the desk. I need you to give them a key to my room. They're gonna go in my room. And even if it's just, like, they'll put them in. Put it in a tournament car, and the tournament car will bring it over.
- [44:00]
B
But happened in Beijing. In Beijing two years ago. I was warming up with a player, and all of a sudden she's just like, I forgot my match outfit. And then it was like this, like, whole ordeal. And then the tournament. Had to go into the hotel room, get her bag, and then bring it to the site. And she was first on, too. And it was, like, an hour or less before her match. So that was, like, cutting a little close.
- [44:32]
A
I mean, I think everyone's forgotten something at some point.
- [44:36]
B
Yeah.
- [44:37]
A
Very stressful.
- [44:38]
B
Yeah. It's not easy out here.
- [44:40]
A
I can't believe you wore a shirt.
- [44:42]
B
I know. I was like, maybe we shouldn't tell the story. It's cool, girls.
- [44:48]
A
Yeah, that's. That's pretty tough.
- [44:50]
B
But I was just a kid. Yeah. I swear I'm hygienic. I take really long showers. All right, everyone, thank you for your fan questions. Please make sure you leave us a rating and review. It helps people find out about the podcast. And don't forget to watch us on the players box YouTube page. And if you want to ask us a question, slide into our DMs on Instagram theplayers box pod or email us@theplayersboxpodmail.com. thanks, Toodaloo.
- [45:30]
A
Howdy ho.
- [45:32]
B
Howdy ho. Hi, I'm Paul. Jess and DEZ are going to send us some videos so we're going to check in with them from China.
- [45:42]
C
Hi, everybody. It's Jesse and DEZ and we are in China right now. We're in Beijing. Our unforced air of the week, no.
- [45:52]
D
Vp, no vpn and couldn't do. Couldn't get a video with Maddie and Jess. We missed you guys.
- [46:00]
B
Sorry. March.
- [46:02]
A
Maddie and Jenny, there's another unforced error.
- [46:05]
B
Yeah.
- [46:06]
C
So Maddie and Jenny did most of the podcast today.
- [46:11]
D
Yeah, they held down the.
- [46:12]
C
Yeah, we couldn't get anything to work. Tried all our VPNs. Couldn't get on the website to record what we wanted to record. So sorry that we missed you guys. But we are going to pop in still and answer some questions across the world. So.
- [46:27]
A
Yeah.
- [46:28]
B
Okay.
- [46:28]
D
Our questions were over there.
- [46:32]
B
Okay, fan questions, here we go.
- [46:36]
C
Unforced air. We told you that's definitely our VPN failing.
- [46:40]
B
Yes.
- [46:40]
C
And not being able to join is pretty bad. So.
- [46:44]
D
Fan question from Mac Tennis 313. What is your favorite candy? I was told that Jenny listed about 50 types of candies, but I think, I think Mac underscore tennis three. 313 asked for one Jenny. Just one. And I'm gonna say mine's a Reese's fast break.
- [47:07]
C
Oh, interesting choice.
- [47:09]
B
Break.
- [47:10]
C
I love sour candy. So I would say probably like Sour Patch Kids are probably my favorite. Love them one.
- [47:18]
B
Yeah.
- [47:19]
D
So many. So many different ones.
- [47:21]
B
Yes. Okay.
- [47:23]
D
And fan question number two from air Brienne, Bri, have you ever forgotten match outfit? Have you ever forgotten your match outfit on the day of your match? I definitely have.
- [47:37]
C
I definitely have to like back in the rookie days, I feel like I now I'm like very overly prepared. Now I feel like I pack for like I could possibly play six matches today and I seem to be ready. But I definitely have.
- [47:50]
D
I, I wouldn't say it was a rookie move. Like back in when I first started it was definitely this year in February in Singapore. It was for the finals. So I. The site is like about an hour.
- [48:03]
A
Away and I thought I packed my.
- [48:06]
D
Match outfits the night before. Usually I packed it the night before because of this and bring a change of clothes, bring in a few outfits and I get to the site and I'm like, where my match outfit? Oh, My God, I don't have it. Of course I'm not going to make it in time to do my warmup and then get ready for the match. We were first on at 12, and this is for the final. And then I had to call someone from the WTA shout out Teva and supervisor Christina Romero. She came in clutch, and they somehow found a way to sneak into my room, say they were me, and then grabbed my match outfit and brought it to the match.
- [48:41]
B
So.
- [48:41]
A
And then we ended up winning, but.
- [48:43]
D
Yeah, that was recent.
- [48:44]
C
But you won the tournament.
- [48:45]
D
Yes, the tournament.
- [48:47]
C
So that's crazy. I think you've had to bring me something before.
- [48:49]
D
I definitely have.
- [48:50]
A
A lot of people have had to bring me a lot of things.
- [48:52]
D
So shout out to all my friends and everyone that she had to bring My string.
- [48:55]
C
Yes, I brought your string that she left at US Open.
- [48:58]
A
Y.
- [48:59]
C
You definitely had to bring, like, a shirt for me when you used at United Cup. She's used my. My tops before because she, like, didn't have the right color. Whatever it was. United Cup, Sure. That's why it's good to be. It's good to be friendly because you never know when you need someone back at the tournament hotel to bring you.
- [49:19]
D
Stuff to sneak into your room.
- [49:20]
B
Yeah.
- [49:21]
D
So, yeah.
- [49:23]
C
All right.
- [49:23]
A
Well, all right. Guess we'll see everyone.
- [49:28]
B
Yeah.
- [49:28]
A
Back states. I will, actually.
- [49:29]
D
Hopefully we see everyone next week on Riverside, but, yeah, I think we.
- [49:33]
C
We got it figured out for next week, but fingers crossed. Yeah, we got some matches to play still, so we'll see you guys hopefully next week. Back on the podcast.